SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) - Even though political pundits continue to speculate on the future of Attorney General Kamala Harris, a rising star in the Democratic party, that hasn't stopped law enforcement officers from backing California's top lawyer.
Last week alone, two Northern California law enforcement associations endorsed Harris, which is not surprising, since Harris served in San Francisco's District Attorney's Office for several years before rising to the position of attorney general.
On Friday, the California Association of Highway Patrolmen announced the organization's support for Harris, issuing a statement saying Harris' support for CAHP and law enforcement in general has earned her respect and admiration.
"I am grateful to have the support of [CAHP]," Harris said in a press release. "As California's chief law enforcement official, I appreciate the experience and insight that CAHP and its men and women bring to keeping Californians safe."
Two days prior to CAHP's announcement, on Jan. 8, the Oakland Police Officers' Association announced its support for the re-election of Harris.
"To effectively make a difference in dealing with and preventing crime, we need strong leaders who understand our jobs and who are looking for out-of-the-box solutions to every-day public safety challenges ... Harris has been that kind of leader," said Sgt. Barry Donelan, president of OPOA.
"OPOA voted unanimously to support the re-election of ... Harris after having watched the outstanding job she has done over the past three years. She has made public safety her top priority and she shares similar values with our police officers who struggle daily with crime on the streets of Oakland."
Other law enforcement organizations and officials to recently endorse Harris include:
- The Los Angeles Police Protective League Endorses Kamala Harris
- San Diego D.A. Bonnie Dumanis;
- San Bernardino D.A. Mike Ramos;
- Santa Barbara Sheriff Bill Brown;
- Alameda County D.A. Nancy O'Malley;
- And Los Angels D.A. Jackie Lacey.
From Legal Newsline: Reach David Yates at elections@legalnewsline.com.